Judges must strive for respect and integrity - Chief Justice

New Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya PC said public confidence and respect for the judiciary are essential for an effective judicial system and ultimately for democracy, founded on the rule of law.

Jayasuriya speaking at the ceremonial sitting held at the Supreme Court to welcome him as the 47th Chief Justice said a factor capable of undermining public respect and confidence is, any conduct of judges, in and out of court, demonstrating a lack of integrity.

“Judges should, therefore, strive to conduct themselves in a way that will sustain and contribute to public respect and confidence in their integrity, impartiality and good judgement,” the Chief Justice added.

Chief Justice Jayasuriya was accorded a warm welcome at the ceremonial sitting by an array of Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Courts, District Courts and the Magistrate’s Courts.

The Chief Justice stated that public confidence in the judiciary as a whole would be affected, if the public confidence in one judge was shaken.

“Freedom, peace, order and good governance - the essentials of the society we treasure-depend on the ultimate analysis, on the faithful performance of judicial duty. It is only when the community has confidence in the integrity and capacity of the judiciary that the community is governed by the rule of law.

A judge is described as the pillar of the entire justice system,” the Chief Justice further added.

The ceremony began with the speeches of the Attorney General, Dappula de Livera PC and BASL President Kalinga Indatissa PC.